REVIEW: Crystal Light Liquid Strawberry Lemonade

Why, if he were around right now, he’d probably say something like, “Oh, ye citrus beverage of my youth, why do I crave for thee in the bitter of winter?” Then, he’d probably sit down and write a sonnet, maybe pull out some iambic pentameter. I dunno, but I do know that, if his love for lemonade were true, he, like me, would’ve been tickled to see that one of Crystal Light’s newest ventures came in the form of strawberry lemonade.

Gotta give it to Crystal Light: they’re game for innovation. Every time I pass the powdered drink aisle, there’s a new flavor: Mango Passionfruit, Cherry Pomegranate, Snozzberry (oh, wait, I don’t think that last one’s been done yet. Can they get on that?).

While the notion of portable, squeezy liquid concentrates isn’t the newest thing on the block, Crystal Light’s always experimenting with uncharted territory flavors that don’t threaten to decay my bicuspids or sag my rump. I don’t know if all this flavor experimentation is admirable, but it is risky, and I respect a company willing to haggle with the Devils of Downfall.

The design of these little buggers is fetching in that short-and-curved kinda way. At the same time, it somewhat reminds me of a mini robot alien sent to Earth to bring the galactic armada tumbling upon us.

“Take me to your leader.”

Upon flipping open the cap, the smell is magical enough, with hints of lemon drops, artificial strawberry, and maybe something fruit punchy.

The recommended serving is “1 squeeze” for 8 ounces, so I shook the contents to make sure the flavors were distributed, gave it a solid squeeze, and watched as the color poofed out with a sort of pink lava-lamp glow, a color that disperses itself upon stirring around.

Yes, it’s a little murky, but the pink adds something magical. I imagine this is what unicorn swamp water would look like.

The romp in interactive drink preparation was nothing but joy.

The tasting, however, was the opposite of joy.

It started as a hit of salty water, then went into some sort of faint cotton candy bubblegum. I added more squeezes into the water, thinking that maybe I just got a bad blend on my first squeeze, but it only concentrated the saltiness, resulting in something that tasted like a melted sea-salt-and-cotton-candy popsicle.

Oh, I was so sad. I really wanted to like this. I really did. I tried it multiple times with varying degrees of concentrate: one squeeze, measured squeezes, at breakfast, at dinner, while doing handstands in my kitchen (a fun and difficult challenge, but still not very tasty). I even offered it to a friend who needed to take off a few pounds.

He said it was dastardly, which I thought a bit hyperbolic of him.

Maybe I just got a bad bottle. Maybe there was a mix up at the factory. Maybe a Crystal Light employee was seeking vengeance for an under-salted lemonade s/he had in his/her youth. I dunno. I appreciate that I didn’t waste any calories on this experience and I know Crystal Light can make some pretty decent lemonades, but this just isn’t one of them. Nonetheless, I hold hope for the future. Crystal Light is willing to take risks. Even when they fail, they shall try, try again.

I tried the Pomtini flavor which is identicle to the multiple other berry/pomegranate drink enhancers out there. The packaging was a poor choice by the co. It’s more annoying to have to have to remove it from the cardboard. I’m sure stocking staff at stores LOVE stocking each bottle individually in that awkward packaging. It’s not a bad flavor. Just nothing special.

I bought crystal light today in the Peach flavor. got home, got a big glass of ice and water, and put a squirt of the peach in it. not expecting much, was like Wow! this is really, good. drank 3 glasses so far. going back tomorrow for the cherry pomg. this is really good

I had been using the traditional crystal light natural lemonade for many years and loved it! I just recently started using CL liquid strawberry Lemonade, the flavor is terrific! But after a few days of using it I started noticing that I am more thirsty than ever….not sure why? I typically drink 15-18 glasses of water a day with a squirt of CL in each glass. I’m wondering is it because there is 30mg of sodium/ serving could this be causing me to be thirsty? I’m tempted to switch back to the old CL ……if not I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop drinking water, I’m always thirsty!! Help with ideas or suggestions, please!

I’m a little concerned about this product. I bought one of these on clearance in Target and began to use. Whenever I drink it, I can’t stop drinking it. it’s obviously beyond artificial. Hopefully, still allowed for human consumption. The list of ingredients are concerning. The propylene glycol, the (preservative) potassium sorbate, the acesulfame potassium( which doesn’t sound good at all; just my opinion), and of course the sucralose ( hidden word for artificial sweetener. I plan to research more on this product. I would not constantly use this product. I’ve mentioned to people how diet drinks and things of this sort are potentially no good for the human body. I do believe natural sugar is better for you. However, I am a sucker for an innovative product with a little funky squeeze. I am concerned it’s like crack in a bottle or a trip of LSD swirling into your water!!! Go all natural with food. As much as possible! God Bless!

The Bluebarry Razz is by far the best tasting squeeze liquid I’ve ever tried. This is how the Berry Burst Mio should of tasted (but instead the blue mio tastes awful). I also noticed the expire date lasts longer then the Mio as well.

If you haven’t tried it, give the Blueberry Razz a try, I usually do a solid squeeze and a half into a 500ml water bottle.

I tried the Strawberry Lemonade liquid and really like it. I prefer mine a little darker so I like that I can adjust it which you cannot do with the powder. I tried mixing it with a little more than half water and the rest unflavored seltzer and found it was even better that way. I am trying to cut back on the amount of diet soda I consume and this has a lot less artificial sweetener than the sodas do which is another reason why I like using it. I think it’s really whatever you prefer but for me I like it and plan to continue using it.